During National American Indian Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich
ancestry of American Indians and Alaska Natives and recognize their many
contributions to our national story.

Native Americans have enriched our heritage and added to all aspects of our
society. Our country is blessed to have their character and strength, and
we are especially grateful for the generations of Native Americans who have
answered the call to defend our country. During World War II, these brave
patriots used their native languages to create an unbreakable oral code.
Today, that legacy continues as Native Americans work to advance freedom's
cause.

My Administration remains committed to protecting tribal sovereignty and
the right to self-determination and to working with tribes on a
government-to-government basis. To help more Native Americans realize the
dream of home ownership, I signed the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2008. For nearly eight
years, we have also worked to strengthen educational opportunities for all
Americans. In 2004, I issued an executive order to help Native American
students fulfill the challenging standards of the No Child Left Behind Act.
This order established the Interagency Working Group on American Indian
and Alaska Native Education to improve educational programs consistent with
tribal traditions, languages, and cultures. By setting high standards for
academic achievement, we are enabling more Americans throughout our country
to pursue their dreams.

During this month, we honor our native peoples and recognize them for
strengthening the diversity of our society.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2008 as National
American Indian Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate
this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-third.